CONCORD - Gov. John Lynch applauded the New Hampshire House of Representatives for quickly passing legislation to help communities rebuild from damage suffered in the October floods.

Normally, the federal government pays 75 percent of disaster costs, and the state and local communities normally split the remainder equally. Gov. Lynch had asked the legislature to pass a bill covering all but $5,000 of the match for each community.

"Given the scope of the damage in the floods, the normal disaster match was much more than some of our communities could afford," Gov. Lynch said. "This legislation will make it financially possible for our communities to continue their rebuilding efforts, and I thank the House for its strong support of this bill."

The legislation, HB 1765, must now go to the Senate.

The bill was sponsored by Representatives John Gibson, Henry Parkhurst, Jay Phinizy, David Essex, and Dan Eaton, and Senators Tom Eaton and Peter Burling.